The Air Quality Blog by Rabbit Air

Spring is in the air, but that means so is plant pollen. For many, spring indicates the start of something fresh and new, but for allergy sufferers, it is the start of wheezing, coughing, and other dreaded symptoms. However, with some simple spring cleaning, you can banish many allergens lurking in your home and pave the way for a happier and healthier season.

One great way to spruce up your home is by decorating with plants. Before you go running for the tissues, consider buying some air-purifying plants that are a great way to refresh the room, while adding a spring-like touch. According to a recent article in DNAinfo, aloe and spider plants are the way to go to bring a bit of relief so that you can enjoy the warmer weather.

While you are redecorating, throw away that old shower curtain! If you are using a vinyl shower curtain, it is easy for soap scum to build up on it. Try switching to nylon, organic cotton, or polyester that can be easily washed.

If you are allergic to mold, the fridge can be a hidden enemy. Make sure there are no hidden leaks, which can lead to mold build up, and that old food is disposed of, making room for all the delicious in season fruits and vegetables.

With just a few simple tips, you can alleviate your allergy symptoms and make your household a place of calm and comfort.

Asthma, a chronic disease that affects 26 million Americans, is an inflammation to the air passages that results in a temporary narrowing of the airways that carry oxygen to the lungs. Causing nearly 2 million emergency room visits ever year, asthma sufferers should take caution as there are many factors and triggers in your home that can cause an asthma attack.

NIAID/flickr

Stop, Drop and Prevention

While there are medications for asthma, the first line of defense should be identifying possible asthma triggers as prevention and environmental control can minimize asthma symptoms from the beginning. Some asthma triggers and ways to manage them are:

Smoke: Inhaling smoke from cigarettes and cigars can cause an inflammation of the bronchial tubes. This produces an excess of mucus production, which in turn leads to cough and phlegm. Prolonged smoking can also create an irreversible narrowing of the bronchial tubes from inflammation and scarring that can cause permanent breathing problems. Smoke from wood burning and fires also contain harmful gases and small particles, so areas that are affected by fire should be avoided to prevent particles from being inhaled.

Although staying far away from a smoker is highly recommended, if someone insists on smoking indoors, have a well ventilated room or use an air purifier with an effective Charcoal Based Activated Carbon filter to help trap harmful chemicals and toxins that can get dispersed from smoke. For those who want an extra layer of filtration against odors, the MinusA2 from Rabbit Air gives you the option of choosing an Odor Remover Customized filter option that increases the efficiency of trapping odors to 91%.

Dust Mites: Dust mites are tiny bugs that feed off your dead skin and can be found in mattresses, carpets, furniture and bedding. They thrive in moist and humid environments and peak around July and August due to the weather. If you have asthma, dust mites can trigger an asthma attack, so prevention is important to keep dust mites at bay. Put airtight plastic dust-mite covers on pillows, mattresses, and box springs and wash all bedding in very hot water (over 130 degrees Fahrenheit) and dry in a hot dryer. It’s also recommended to vacuum your home with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter to trap the microscopic dust mites.

Pets: Pet allergies are very common, and for the 15 to 30 percent of Americans who suffer from them, relief can be hard to obtain. Pet dander, which are dead skin cells from animals, fur, saliva, and even urine, are allergens that can be transported via clothing and other surfaces, so even if a home has never had an animal inhabitant, the allergens can still become settled into a home. Washing your hands after petting an animal, and using a HEPA vacuum cleaner or air purifier, can be beneficial in helping trap the allergens. Since pet dander can also stick to your walls, wiping down surfaces is also a good step.

Mold: Mold can be found both indoors and outdoors, and while everyone breathes in airborne mold spores, in some, this can trigger asthmatic symptoms. If you find that you have mold, it will have to be removed from the source, and in some cases, professionally. But once the mold has been removed, it is recommended that an air purifier or whole house air system that uses a HEPA filter be used to trap any airborne mold spores from regrouping and taking over your home again.

Technologies

While air purifiers can be an asthma sufferer’s best friend, we should not assume that they are all the same.

HEPA filters (high-efficiency particulate air) were developed during World War II to prevent the spread of radioactive particles and are the most effective ways to trap airborne particles, such as bacteria, viruses, smoke and pollen. To qualify as a true HEPA filter, the air filter must be able to capture airborne allergens and contaminants down to 0.3 microns in size, 99.97% of the time.

Stay away from air purifiers that create ozone, a known respiratory irritant, such as Electrostatic Precipitators and ozone generators.

A whole-house air cleaner may be used if your home is heated or air-conditioned through ducts. HVAC systems include replacement filters that range from less than a dollar to about $20 and are designed to reduce the accumulation of dust and dirt in the ducts and coils of the system. Simple filters, while inexpensive, need to be replaced every month or two, and only remove large particles, not the small particles in the house that are inhaled into the lungs while the more efficient replacement filters (usually for 6 to 20 dollars each) will remove many smaller particles and are often pleated or coated with an electrostatic charge.

Know your environment before purchasing replacement filters as some can become clogged quickly in dusty environments, reducing airflow through the system and causing a reduction in the heating or cooling efficiency.

Another option for your home is a permanent whole-house air cleaner, which can be added to an HVAC system, but the cost is several hundred to a few thousand dollars for the unit and the installation. Other disadvantages include frequent maintenance of the plates, the need to keep the fan running continuously (24/7) to clean the air, and the electricity cost and noise associated with the large blower fan running continuously.

Although an air purifier can trap particles, such as dust, pollen and chemicals, it can only trap them in the general area of the air purifier and the room that they are placed in. It cannot trap particles that have already settled onto objects, such as furniture, beds, carpets, and if the source of the allergens is a pet, as animals release dander and fur continually. Depending on the air purifier and the size of your room, most room cleaners take 15-30 minutes to remove particulates in the air, and for the most effective use, it is recommended to have the air purifier operating in your room 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Let us help you choose the correct air purifier for your needs. Our knowledgeable, friendly and honest customer service representatives are available to you 24 hours a day. Just contact us or call 888.866.8862.

If you suffer from allergies, you know that springtime brings more than just warm weather. It also brings air that makes you itch, sneeze, cough, and twitch. While you may not be able to combat the outdoor air, an air purifier is an easy way to clean up your indoor spaces where you spend most of your time.

What Is an Allergy?An allergy is the body’s overreaction to an outside substance. When you have an allergic reaction, your immune system tries to fight off the foreign material, causing sneezing, wheezing, nasal discharge, coughing, and itching of the skin or airways.

Mild allergies can cause considerable discomfort, but serious sufferers may experience chronic respiratory illnesses like asthma or sinusitis. In severe cases, allergies can even be fatal. An allergic reaction may be caused by an insect bite or a certain food, drug, or synthetic substance. However, the most common allergic reactions occur from airborne particles.

Air and AllergiesBreathable air is primarily composed of oxygen, nitrogen, and argon gases. The air is also filled with unnatural byproducts from burning fossil fuels, as well as natural substances like pollen from trees and grasses. These particles cause major discomfort for allergy sufferers. Rhinitis and sinusitis are two of the most common allergic diseases. In fact, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America estimates that nearly 40 million Americans suffer from one or both conditions.

The Allergic DefenseThe human body naturally resists airborne particles in attempt to prevent them from entering your lungs. Your nose and trachea, for example, are lined with tiny hairs called cilia. These hairs serve to filter and trap particles before they enter your body. The walls of your airways also produce mucus in order to keep the pathways moist enough to collect particles that are passing through.

Under normal circumstances, these defense mechanisms work behind the scenes. If you suffer from allergies, however, your system goes into overdrive and mistakes natural particles for foreign substances. This triggers the release of histamine, which is the body’s natural inflammatory response. The blood vessels begin to dilate and the airways produce an excess amount of mucus. This is when the itching, coughing, and sneezing begin.

Cleaner Air Means Milder SymptomsAllergies affect people worldwide, especially during the spring season when flowers are blooming and the pollen count is high. While there are plenty of anti-histamine medications that help slow these defenses, you may find that cleaning the air in your living spaces gives you the best relief. By filtering your air before you breathe it, you are exposed to a much lower amount of defense-triggering particles. Air purifying units draw in polluted air from indoor spaces and trap those particles and contaminates onto micro filters. Some systems even incorporate several layers to make filtration more effective.

Moreover, many air purifiers use HEPA filters, which are held to strict government standards. Made of stainless steel, a true HEPA filter traps 99.97% of all particles larger than 0.3 micrometers.

Buying an Air PurifierAllergy sufferers looking for an effective air purifier should consider the following:

Choose a purifier that is designed to run continuously. This is the best way to ensure your air is always clean.

Use a HEPA filter to trap smaller particles.

Ensure a high CADR rating for larger areas.

Go for high efficiency. Most allergy suffers do best with an air exchange rate of at least 4. This means your room’s air is being cleaned every 15 minutes.

Clean air means a better way of life, especially for people with allergies. Modern air purifiers are a great way to fight these conditions before they even begin.

Let us help you choose the correct air purifier for your needs. Our knowledgeable, friendly and honest customer service representatives are available to you 24 hours a day. Just contact us or call 888.866.8862.

Chances are you have heard at least one person you know who has talked about, or recommended, using an air purifier. Because they are becoming more and more popular, it may be tempting to wonder if they are simply a fad that will eventually disappear. In reality, these carefully designed filters have been created to greatly improve air quality by effectively eliminating the most harmful and bothersome particles. These pollutants include dust, pet dander, smoke, allergens, and environmental pollution that always seem to find a way into your home or office. As you consider whether or not purchasing an air purifier is worth your investment you may wish to consider some of the most compelling reasons why this product is well worth every penny you will spend.

You Are an Animal Lover with Allergies

Many people who adore animals and live with pets experience allergies related directly to the pet dander, hair, and fur that are a consequence of living with these lovable creatures. An air purifier works effectively to filter this dander from your air to leave the environment cleaner and healthier. In some cases, small children are more sensitive to pet dander than adults, so for families with both small children and pets, an air purifier is an excellent investment.

Your House Smells Dirty

Sensitivity to smells is something a lot of people find bothersome and at times sickening. If your home seems to absorb odors from sports playing teenagers, a smoking roommate, dirty diapers, or your furry friends, an air purifier could be just what you need to eliminate unwanted smells and leave the air fresh and enjoyable to breathe.

Residents of apartments or employees in an office building, may also experience drafts coming from another part of the building that carry odors with them. Oftentimes, unpleasant smells may waft through into your work or living space. Positioning an air purifier at the entrance of these odors can help to eliminate them before you ever smell them.

You Have Loved Ones With Respiratory Problems

Respiratory diseases such as asthma are unpredictable in the sense that certain allergens can immediately set off an attack that can reduce lung function and in severe cases, result in an inability to breathe. For families with children or parents with such diseases, doctors often recommend keeping air quality as high as possible to allow easy breathing and to eliminate the possibility of health problems from occurring.

Air purifiers are designed to filter air of harmful allergens that often trigger these attacks. Whether smoke, dander, or dust seem to make breathing harder for suffering family members, the right air purifier can increase air quality and provide everyone with peace of mind.

You Live With or Near a Smoker

Studies have shown that secondhand smoke is incredibly harmful to the human body and can have serious side effects. Air purifiers with HEPA filters are specifically designed to eliminate smoke and tobacco pollutants and odors. If you live with or near a smoker, your decision to invest in a purifier could make a significant difference in the way you feel.

You Have a Brand New Home

Moving into a brand new home can be incredibly exciting and rewarding. However that “new house” smell can be filled with pollutants such as formaldehyde which is a dangerous toxin that has been shown to cause health problems. An air purifier can help filter this toxic air and give everyone in the home a bit more confidence that they are breathing healthier air. This is an especially smart decision if you have small children or babies.

With these compelling reasons why investing in an air purifier is beneficial and rewarding, it isn’t any surprise that many people are making the decision to purchase one today. Increase the quality of the air in your home or office with this revolutionary product.

Let us help you choose the correct air purifier for your needs. Our knowledgeable, friendly and honest customer service representatives are available to you 24 hours a day. Just contact us or call 888.866.8862.

Scented candles, heated oils, and other scented products are becoming increasingly popular as busy homeowners try desperately to cover up the smell of last night’s salmon dinner or get rid of pet odors before the in-laws come over. A home that smells bad is generally considered to be unclean and dirty, even if that is not really the case. While air fresheners and scented candles can quickly cover up undesirable smells, they cannot fix the root cause of the bad smell, nor can they make the air cleaner and safer to breathe.

If you want to simultaneously clean and freshen the air from bad odors, you should invest in a quality air purifier. Although an air purifier is more expensive up-front than candles or scented oils, it can be used for a much longer period of time, and it can actually clean the air instead of just covering up bad odors. These benefits alone make an air purifier well worth the initial investment. Here are five types of smells you can get rid of with an air purifier:

Smoke

No one likes the smell of smoke in their home, whether it comes from cigarettes or a weekend camp-out. Unlike some other scents, the smell of smoke can be incredibly difficult to get rid of, especially if it has a chance to permeate your furniture, drapes, and carpet. If you want to drastically reduce or even eliminate the smoke scent in your home once and for all, adding an air purifier to your room is a fantastic first step.

There are a few different types of purifiers you can choose from, including:

Electronic air purifiers

Ionizers

Mechanical high efficiency particulate air filters

They all work in different ways, but their intended purpose is the same: to remove pollutants and odors from the air by trapping them in some sort of filter, or by forcing them to the ground so that they can be removed with a vacuum.

Pet Odor

No matter how often you give your pet a bath, pets inevitably stink. By nature, cats, dogs, and all of our other furry friends are smelly creatures that constantly shed and fill the home with pet dander and unpleasant odors. Not only can pet dander be a nightmare for those with allergies, but pet odor throughout a home can be very embarrassing.

If you want to have neighbors, friends, and family members over without feeling ashamed of the way your house smells, or if you want to stop sneezing constantly due to an allergic reaction to pet dander, then an air purifier could be just what you need. The most efficient air purifiers will have filters that can remove not only the dander and hair that your pet sheds, but it will be able to absorb odors from pet beds and litter-boxes. Not only will your home smell cleaner after you place an air purifier in each main room, but you will also rid the air of many air-born pollutants that can make life miserable for those who have allergies or asthma.

Food Smells

Health professionals advise that you eat at least one serving of fish a week, but cooking fish can make your home unbearably stinky for days afterward. If you avoid cooking healthy meals full of omega-3 fatty acids because you cannot stand the thought of dealing with post-dinner fish scent, then an air purifier can definitely help.

An air purifier will not only help to reduce or eliminate the scent from your leftover fish dinner, but it will also help reduce other food odors in your kitchen as well, including the strong scent that lingers after cooking with delicious but strong smelling spices like curry, or the smell of the occasionally-burned chicken breast. If you come home after a long day at work and you notice that your house has “bad breath”, get out your trusty air purifier and run it on a high speed to quickly freshen up the air.

Garbage

Have you ever forgotten to take the garbage out after dumping raw chicken fat or old vegetables into your garbage bag? If you have ever been unfortunate enough to experience the smell of a day-old garbage can full of rotten meat or old vegetables, then you know how challenging it can be to rid your house of the smell, even after you have removed the garbage bag and washed out the trash can.

Rather than trying to mask the smell with an air freshening spray, use an air filter to trap the lingering, smelly particles that have escaped into the air from your garbage can. As the particles become trapped in the air filter, the smell of your home will improve drastically.

Dirty Diapers

Whether you own some type of special diaper disposer or you throw dirty diapers away the old-fashioned way, there is nothing that can make your home smell like an outhouse quicker than a day-old used diaper. If you invest in a quality air purifier, you will be surprised how much the smell in your baby’s room and your home improves.

No matter what type of unpleasant smell you currently have in your home, a good air purifier will not only help to reduce or eliminate it, but will make the air you breathe healthier and fresher as well.

We can help you choose the correct air purifier for your home or office. Our friendly, knowledgeable, and honest customer service representatives are available to you 24 hours a day. Just contact us or call 888.866.8862.

If you’re like many Americans, your pets are as much a part of your family as the kids. They love you unconditionally, they think you can do no wrong, and they seldom roll their eyes at you. While their furry little selves can be a comfort to their humans, they can also have quite the impact on the air quality inside your home. Over 60 percent of households today include pets, with many of the animals spending all or at least part of their time indoors. Since our furry friends clearly aren’t going anywhere, the next best bet for an animal lover is the use of an air purifier throughout the home.

Breathing Easy

When people have allergies to animals, it is not the actual hair they are allergic to but the dander from discarded skin cells or fluids secreted by the animal that attaches to the hair. These are the actual allergens causing the reaction, however it is so small that we often assume that the larger particle that we can see, the pet’s hair, is the cause. The dander can adhere to just about any object throughout the house, including furniture, walls, carpets and other flooring. The animal doesn’t need to be in close contact to the area where the allergens land as the small particles can be airborne for quite some time. The fluids are often produced through urine and saliva and can remain on surfaces and in areas where there has been contact. Both the fluids and dander easily attach themselves to a pet’s coat.

Dander and the allergens in fluid are both micro in size and can be difficult to eliminate. A person cannot locate them with the naked eye and so often doesn’t even realize the severity of the issue in their home. It can take reoccurring respiratory ailments or allergy attacks before many realize the source of the issue is in their own living space. Asthma sufferers can be affected greatly by this. About a quarter of those with asthma have allergies to animals or have severe sensitivities, which can result in tightening of the chest and wheezing when they come into contact. Since dander can remain in the air for a while, cleaning surfaces have no effect on removal of many of the allergens. Air purifiers work specifically to remove these small particles from the air, decreasing the occurrence of both respiratory and dermal ailments.

Due to its lightweight size, dander is easily transferred. Even if you do not have pets, there is likely dander in your home, as well as in public spaces that you frequent such as schools, stores, offices and hospitals. Petting, holding or being licked by an animal is a surefire way to become a vehicle for it but even visiting an area where dander has been present can result in the same. The airborne particles can attach to ­hair and clothing, moving into your personal space with you none the wiser.

Removing Odors

Pet odors don’t just come from having dogs and cats. Birds, gerbils, ferrets, guinea pigs, and even fish at times can create strong and unwelcome odors in your home. A quick fix is to use a deodorizer or air freshener that is sprayed throughout the room containing the offensive smell. Unfortunately, that technique simply masks the problem without eliminating the cause. In addition, you are often spraying chemicals and newer – albeit prettier smelling – pollutants into your living space. Using an air purifier can get to the root of the problem, removing the actual odor causing particles. ­­

Traditional Cleaning

While traditional cleaning methods do make an impact on the air quality of your home in relation to pet dander and the allergens that come with it, it may not be the impact you are thinking. When you vacuum or dust, large surface pollutants may be removed but many times allergens that are too small to be visible are sent flying. Disrupting areas in your carpet where dander has settled can actually increase the amount of allergens that become present in the air you and your family then breathe. Coupling traditional cleaning methods with a filtering system assists in removing these disrupted particles from the air quickly before they find their way into your lungs.

How Purifiers Can Affect Your Pets

Having an air purifier in the home can be as advantageous to your pets as to the human residents. It is not uncommon for animals to have allergies themselves and removing allergens from the air can help to reduce their symptoms, such as scratching, biting, or licking their paws and legs. Animals, especially those of the smaller variety, can also be sensitive to chemicals released from cleaning products and synthetic fragrances. Mold particles can also cause detriment to your furry friend. When pollutants are removed from the air, their respiratory system benefits much in the same way yours does.

Having pets in your home should be a positive part of your life without causing worry as to how their dander is affecting your indoor air quality. Making a simple change such as placing an air purifier in your home can help you and your pets breathe easy and maintain a clean and healthy lifestyle.

Most everyone knows and understands that the air outside is full of pollutants that can irritate the respiratory system and make allergies and asthma worse. What many people do not realize is that the air inside their homes can be just as polluted, and cause just as many health issues, as the air in a big city. Those who suffer daily with allergies, sneezing, itchy eyes, or chronic coughing know just how frustrating it can be to live in an environment that keeps them from feeling 100 percent. As a result, many are on the lookout for a way to improve the air quality inside their homes in order to find a little relief. A HEPA air purifier can be that relief if used properly and if the right one is chosen.

What Is HEPA?A HEPA filter is also called a high-efficiency particulate air filter. The United States Department of Energy has certain standards in place that an air filter has to meet in order to be qualified as a true HEPA filter. According to those government standards, an air purifier must remove 99.97 percent of particulates at an incredibly small size (0.3 microns) from the air that passes through it to earn a true HEPA standing. These small particles include pet dander, mold, dust mites, and pollen. Larger particulates are usually filtered even more efficiently, being almost completely removed from the air.

Who Uses HEPA Filters?While many people like to have a HEPA air purifier in their homes to ensure that their air quality is at the best level possible, there are many other uses for these filters in different industries. Some of the other applications include:

Hospitals

Laboratories

Aircraft

Cars

When HEPA filters are used in places such as medical facilities, many incorporate UV light to help kill off any live bacteria that could be a threat to the health of patients.

How do HEPA Filters Work?Removing particles from the air inside your home is the main job of a HEPA air purifier. These machines do so with the help of filter mats that are inside the purifier. The mats are composed of fibers arranged in a random pattern that trap the particulates, keeping them from getting back out into the air. In order to function properly, a HEPA filter uses three mechanisms to ensure that particles are caught when travelling through the mats:

Impaction: Where particles stick to any fibers that close to

Interception: Where large particles run into the fibers directly

Diffusion: Where the smallest particles collide with gas molecules, impeding their way through the filter.

By forcing the air in your home through these fine mesh traps, you are able to get rid of the majority of the pollutants that are causing you problems.

Choosing a HEPA FilterThese days, there are many knock-off air purifiers that do not meet HEPA standards. Some products claim to be “HEPA-like” or even “99 Percent HEPA.” Unfortunately, if a filter does not meet the Department of Energy’s standards, it will not provide the air-cleaning power that a true HEPA filter will. When choosing a HEPA filter, watch out for phrases that suggest that the purifier does not actually meet HEPA requirements. Make sure that whatever product you choose to buy is up to par and will do the job that you need it to do. Some of the other factors you should consider before you make a purchase include the following:

Is the purifier large enough for the room where you intend to use it?

Does the purifier emit any unhealthy byproducts, such as ozone?

Do you need professional installation?

Doing a little research beforehand can leave you with a purchase that you feel comfortable with and that you will be happier about in the long run.

Whole Home Versus Single Room FiltersThere are a few ways that you can use a HEPA air purifier in your home, but two of the most common include filtering the air in a single room with a small machine or filtering all of the air in your home with a whole-house filter. Deciding which option is right for you depends on your budget and your specific needs.

A single room filter is best used in the room or rooms where you spend most of your time. Many people prefer to install purifiers in their bedrooms, since a huge portion of their time is spent sleeping. Others would rather use the purifier in their home’s living spaces so that all residents can enjoy the benefits of cleaner air.

A whole-home system can be used in conjunction with an HVAC system, but requires installation by a professional. However, having all of the air in your entire home purified from the particles that negatively affect your health can be a huge benefit that many homeowners enjoy.

No matter which HEPA air purifier you choose to have in your home, you can reap the benefits of cleaner air and reduced respiratory irritation caused by common household pollutants.

Identify the AllergensKnowing the primary causes for outdoor allergies is an important step in keeping your symptoms down and your spirits up. With the changing of the seasons, different plants come into bloom, so there are new sources of pollen in the air to make you sniffle and sneeze. Ragweed is a common allergen in the fall, and it is one of the worst offenders when it comes to making allergies flare up. Learn to identify ragweed and make sure to remove it from your yard on sight. Other weeds and mold are also lurking around in fall, so removing weeds frequently will not only make your yard look its best, but will help you to breathe better in the long run as well.

Garden SmartMake a plan before you get to work on your garden to ensure that you are protecting yourself as much as possible from allergies. Keep track of daily pollen counts to see when they are highest, and make sure you avoid spending time outdoors during those times, even if it means working during odd hours. Wearing the right clothing can help as well to keep allergens off your skin. Make sure to wear long sleeves and pants, and gloves to prevent as much contact as possible. If you know your allergies are more severe, consider taking an antihistamine before going outside so that you can help stop symptoms before you start.

Keep it OutsideOnce your hard work is done, resist the urge to flop right down on the couch to enjoy a break. After being in the yard, you’ll be tracking in pollen and mold on your clothing, shoes, and even in your hair, and they will just transfer to any surface you touch. Instead, relax by taking a warm shower and wash allergens down the drain. Keep windows closed and sealed to keep pollen and mold from coming in, and run a good HEPA air purifier like our MinusA2 to eliminate any pesky allergens that do make it inside. With planning and awareness, you can keep your yard looking great and yourself breathing better all throughout the season.

Your home should be your castle, yet if you are one of the millions of Americans who suffer from allergies or asthma, home can feel more like a prison of sneezing, wheezing, and sniffling. Indoor air quality is often much worse than outdoor air quality, causing sufferers to have frequent and frustrating allergic and asthmatic reactions at home, particularly during high pollen seasons. Here are a few suggestions on how you can improve indoor air quality to help you sleep better, breathe easier, and enjoy being at home.

Remove Carpets, Drapes, and RugsPlush carpets and thick fabric drapes may seem luxurious, but they are prime places for dust and other airborne pollutants to settle. Replacing them with hardwood floors and easily cleanable blinds can significantly reduce the amount of pollutants in your home.

Add an Air Purifier Once you have removed the places that allergens like to settle and hide, keep them from circulating through the air by adding an air purifier with a true HEPA filter. An air purifier like our MinusA2 will not only filter out pollens, but it can trap dust, mold spores, harmful chemicals and unpleasant odors as well, making it useful all throughout the year, even after allergy season is over.

Keep it CleanKeep harmful pollutants from coming back by setting up a thorough cleaning routine and using products designed to keep allergens at bay. Keep floors and furniture clean by using a vacuum with a true HEPA filter, and learn to love breaking out the duster and wiping down bookshelves, tables, and any other places dust might settle. Wash your bedding frequently and think about using a special mattress cover to keep away dust mites for an easier time sleeping.